Empowering You With Knowledge to Support Your Recovery
At FX Physical Therapy, we believe that informed patients make empowered decisions. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, training for a performance goal, or just starting your PT journey, understanding the terms used in your treatment can help you feel more confident, engaged, and in control.
This glossary is designed to define the most common physical therapy terms you’ll encounter in our clinics, from manual techniques to movement screenings. Use it as a resource to better understand your care plan, communicate with your therapist, and stay on track with your recovery goals.
A
Active Range of Motion (AROM)
Movement of a joint performed by the patient using their own muscles, without assistance.
Alignment
Proper positioning of the body to reduce strain and improve efficiency during movement.
Arthritis
A condition causing joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain—commonly treated with physical therapy to preserve function.
B
Balance Training
Exercises designed to improve stability, coordination, and fall prevention.
Body Mechanics
Techniques used to move efficiently and safely during daily activities to prevent injury.
C
Core Strengthening
Exercises focused on improving the strength and endurance of muscles in the abdomen, back, and pelvis.
Cupping Therapy
A manual therapy technique that uses suction to improve circulation, reduce muscle tightness, and promote healing.
D
Dry Needling
A skilled intervention where thin needles are inserted into muscle trigger points to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Dynamic Stretching
Controlled, movement-based stretches that prepare the body for activity or sport.
E
Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim)
A modality that uses electrical currents to reduce pain, stimulate muscles, or promote healing.
Evaluation
The initial assessment performed by a physical therapist to develop a personalized treatment plan.
F
Flexibility
The ability of muscles and joints to move through their full range of motion.
Functional Training
Exercises that mimic real-life movements to improve performance in daily or sport-specific tasks.
G
Gait Training
Physical therapy aimed at improving walking mechanics, often used after injury or surgery.
Graston Technique
A form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization used to treat scar tissue and fascial restrictions.
H
Home Exercise Program (HEP)
A customized set of exercises given to a patient to perform independently outside of therapy sessions.
Hypermobility
Excessive joint flexibility that can lead to instability or increased injury risk.
I
IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
Manual therapy using tools to break down scar tissue and improve tissue mobility.
Isometric Exercise
A type of exercise where the muscle contracts without changing length or moving the joint.
J
Joint Mobilization
A hands-on technique used to restore joint movement, reduce stiffness, and improve function.
K
Kinesiology Tape (KT Tape)
Elastic therapeutic tape applied to support muscles, reduce pain, and improve circulation.
Kinesiotherapy
Movement-based therapy involving active and passive exercises to restore functional ability.
L
Low Back Pain (LBP)
One of the most common conditions treated by physical therapists, often involving a combination of manual therapy and exercise.
Lumbar Spine
The lower portion of the spine, often a focus in core stabilization and postural correction.
M
Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment techniques including soft tissue work, joint mobilization, and myofascial release.
Mobility
The ability of a joint to move freely through its full range of motion.
N
Neuromuscular Re-education
Techniques used to retrain muscle movement patterns and improve coordination after injury.
O
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Treatment focused on conditions of the bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Overuse Injury
An injury caused by repetitive stress without adequate recovery, commonly treated in PT.
P
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Specialized therapy for pelvic pain, incontinence, and core function, including internal and external techniques.
Postural Training
Exercises and awareness techniques to improve alignment and reduce strain during daily activities.
Q
Quadriceps (Quads)
A group of four muscles at the front of the thigh, critical for walking, squatting, and running.
R
Range of Motion (ROM)
The full movement potential of a joint, measured to assess progress and set goals.
Reciprocal Inhibition
Muscle relaxation in one area when its opposing muscle is activated—used in muscle energy techniques.
Rehabilitation
A comprehensive recovery process designed to restore function, mobility, and strength after injury or surgery.
S
Soft Tissue Mobilization
Manual therapy used to release muscle tension, reduce pain, and improve tissue health.
Strength Training
Exercises that improve muscular strength and endurance, often tailored to support injury recovery or athletic performance.
T
Tendinitis
Inflammation of a tendon, often caused by overuse and commonly addressed through physical therapy.
TPI Screening (Titleist Performance Institute)
A specialized movement screen used by certified professionals to assess a golfer’s mobility, stability, and biomechanics. It identifies movement limitations that may affect swing efficiency, performance, or injury risk—used as a foundation for golf-specific rehab and performance plans.
Traction
Therapeutic technique that applies sustained pulling force to relieve spinal pressure and reduce muscle spasms.
Trigger Point
A sensitive, tight area within a muscle that can refer pain to other parts of the body; often treated with manual therapy or dry needling.
U
Ultrasound Therapy
A therapeutic modality that uses sound waves to promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation.
V
Vestibular Rehabilitation
A specialized form of PT to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders.
W
Warm-Up
A series of gentle movements or exercises designed to prepare the body for more intense activity.
Work Conditioning
Therapy designed to help individuals return to work by simulating job-specific tasks and improving physical capacity.